Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow

Adorable tale about a miniature family, mother, father, two daughters and two sons who live in the forest. Children play and go to school with forest animals. The animals and children speak to each other. There are several morals taught in the course of the story. Follows the family from one season through the next. The children help the parents work, harvest food for winter, etc. It is nice to see the children happily working with the family rather than just existing to be entertained. The children have several adventures and lots of different fun activities playing with the animals in the forest. The book is formatted with text on the left page with one or more black and white illustrations above and/or below it, and the right side of the book is one big full color illustration. The illustrations are gorgeous and offer much to look at, many details, rather than just mimicking the exact words of the text. The story is lovely and the adult will enjoy reading it over and over. Hardcover. 9x11 inches.